How to choose the best cannabis seeds

Choosing the best cannabis seeds can be confusing because there are so many to choose from. As well as the established seed companies there are lots of small, new seed banks. The choice can be overwhelming and it can be difficult to know where to start. Before you can decide on the best cannabis seeds, you first need to ask yourself a few questions about your own growing and smoking/vaping preferences

Feminized photoperiod seeds or autoflower seeds.

These days the market for cannabis seeds is dominated by two main categories. Photoperiod feminized seeds and autoflower seeds. Autoflower seeds grow from seed to harvest in around 10-11 weeks indoors using a 20/4 light schedule. That means 20 hours of light followed by 4 hours of darkness. Some seeds, including the Dutch Passion autoflower varieties, can also be grown under 24 hour light from seed to harvest. Photoperiod feminized seeds have to be forced into bloom by reducing light to 12/12. This means they need 12 hours of light followed by 12 hours of darkness in order to bloom, and the bloom process usually takes around 8-10 weeks. You can expect great potency levels from good quality seeds whether they are autoflowering seeds or traditional photoperiod feminized. These days most of the autoflower seeds are feminized rather than regular.

Regular seeds or feminized seeds.

Typically around 97% of seeds are feminized seeds, that means that they will grow into mature female cannabis plants. Regular seeds will give rise to male and female plants in roughly equal numbers. Feminized seeds were first created in the 1990’s by Dutch Passion and have become the most popular way to grow cannabis. Regular seeds are still used by breeders and some old-school growers, but most growers don’t want to use their space, nutrients and electricity to grow unwanted male plants. For that reason regular cannabis seeds have become less popular over the years. However, Dutch Passion still maintain one of the largest collections of regular seeds with around 15 varieties available as regular seeds. Many seed companies don't offer any regular seeds, and only sell feminized seeds. There are no differences in quality or potency between feminized and photoperiod seeds.

Indoor cannabis seeds or outdoor cannabis seeds.

In many countries, especially those with cool climates, people prefer to grow cannabis indoors. This is a cheap and easy way to grow cannabis, you can buy the grow tent, extraction fan, carbon filter and lights easily from your local grow shop or online. A budget grow room can be set up for a couple of hundred euros, and you can save even more money by buying some of your equipment second hand. Growers in warm countries often prefer to grow their cannabis outdoors, on their terrace, their garden or in the local countryside. The following blog gives useful information about growing cannabis easily outdoors. This blog explains how to grow weed easily indoors. The Dutch Passion outdoor seed collection features some varieties that have been selectively bred for growth outdoors in Dutch-style climates.

THC rich or CBD rich cannabis seeds.

Most varieties of cannabis are rich in THC, THC gives the psychoactive high that is so popular with recreational and medical cannabis users. THC ensures a pleasurable cerebral experience, but it also delivers valuable medical benefits for medical cannabis growers. In recent years new varieties have been created are are also rich in CBD. CBD is especially valued by medical growers who find it can be helpful with symptoms of some illnesses, such as MS, Crohns disease and some chronic pain issues. CBD rich varieties can offer a smoother, more enjoyable high, sometimes with a less intense psycho active effect and an improved body stone. But many recreational cannabis growers are also starting to notice that CBD rich varieties give them a superior, more rounded smoking experience. CBD rich varieties also tend to have higher levels of some of the other minor cannabinoids such as THCV, CBG etc. For many home growers, the wider the cannabinoid spectrum, the better the final smoke/vape.

Choosing the best cannabis seed company.

Find a cannabis seed company that you have confidence in. These days it’s easy to google a seed variety to find grow reviews. Many of the larger seed companies will be present on the grow forums and should have plenty of strain reviews on the internet. Dutch Passion have hundreds of grow reviews in the blog section of the website, it’s searchable and you can see the results that can be achieved with the best genetics.

Cheap cannabis seeds or expensive seeds.

The most expensive cannabis seeds are not necessarily the best. Focus your research on the seed variety that you think will suit you best. Don’t worry too much about the price, your time is better spent looking for grow reviews on the best performing genetics. At the same time, don't try to cut corners on seed pricing, the cost of your seeds is one of the less expensive parts of your grow but the genetics have the greatest influence on the final harvest quality.

Seed type

Dutch Passion advise their customers to reassure themselves of local applicable laws and regulations before germination. Dutch Passion cannot be held responsible for the actions of those who act against laws and regulations that apply in their locality. Cannabis seeds should be kept as collectible souvenirs by anyone in an area where cultivation of cannabis is not legal.